To help you find the best steam vacuum cleaner, we have thoroughly researched a multitude of top vacuums, researching to ensure they delivered high-grade cleaning power that would be perfect for residential, commercial, or industrial use. We liked durably made vacuums with powerful motors that easily remove stains and debris.
The best steam vacuum cleaner that we researched was easily the Tineco Pure ONE S12. This carpet steam cleaner features a powerful 500w motor and an integrated battery, allowing for cordless use. The 500w motor makes it one of the best carpet cleaners and the integrated sensors automatically adjust the power depending on how much dirt and debris are present. Keep reading to learn more about other high-quality vacuum cleaners available today.
Top 10 Best Steam Cleaners
#1 Hoover FH50150 Power Scrub Deluxe Steam Vacuum Cleaner
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Great option for shampooing carpet, in addition to performing basic cleaning tasks, shipping with a lengthy hose, and powerful spin brushes that rotate a full 360 degrees to dislodge dirt and debris.
- Spin brushes help dislodge dirt
- Ships with lengthy hose and other attachments
- Features large tank that auto mixes shampoo and water
- Included shampoo bottle is small
- Must be plugged in
The Hoover FH50150 Power Scrub Deluxe is a fantastic steam cleaner vs vacuum cleaner that absolutely excels at shampooing, washing and drying carpet and other surface types. We loved the powerful spin brushes that rotate 360 degrees and are great at dislodging stubborn dirt and debris. This steam vac also ships with a number of useful accessories and attachments, including a lengthy hose that is eight feet long, a stair tool, and an upholstery tool, among other items.
Related: Check the best upright vacuums.
Though this steam cleaner does ship with a bottle of proprietary shampoo, it is intended for demo use only and, as such, is extremely small. Also, there are no internal batteries here so the vacuum must be plugged in during use, though the integrated power cable is nearly 20 feet long. You might need to look into a stick vacuum that combines an efficient motor with a powerful battery that keeps the vac going long enough to clean your house.
#2 Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 Steam Vacuum Cleaner
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: High-quality professional carpet steam cleaner with a robust feature set that includes vibrating scrub brushes that inject cleaning solution deep into the carpet fibers and a powerful motor that cleans so thoroughly that the drying process is lessened.
- Vibrating scrub brushes excel on carpet
- Powerful motor cleans quickly and reduces drying time
- Excels with the elimination of pet-related messes and odors
- Nearly 40 lb, but does include sturdy wheels
The Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 eliminates the need for a commercial-grade carpet steam cleaner rental, thanks to the high-end features available in this model that is available to own. The integrated vibrating scrub brushes excel at dislodging dirt and debris from carpeting and the powerful motor cleans individual strands of carpeting, helping to reduce the drying time after use. This steam vacuum cleaner for carpets is also built to easily handle pet-related messes and odors, with a high-grade extraction-based motor.
This is a professional-grade steam vacuum cleaner and, as such, it is on the heavier side, clocking in at around 50 pounds, which is much heavier than some of the top-rated Dyson vacuums. The vac does feature integrated wheels that are sturdy on all surface types, so it isn’t that difficult to lug it around in between cleaning sessions. This is one of the best carpet cleaners.
#3 Hoover SmartWash Steam Vacuum Cleaner
Award: BEST FOR ANIMAL LOVERS
WHY WE LIKE IT: Designed for pet lovers, with a spot stain removal function and the inclusion of the company’s FlexForce pet power brushes, which excel at removing pet-related debris from carpeting and at eliminating caked-in odors.
- Ships with a number of useful attachments
- HeatForce technology dries quickly
- Integrated sensors automatically switch between modes
- Ships with just a bit of cleaning solution
- Must be plugged in
The Hoover SmartWash is simply a fantastic steam cleaner for households that have multiple pets, as it features a handy spot stain removal function and the ability to pretreat highly trafficked areas. The company’s proprietary FlexForce power brushes excel at removing debris and odors alike and the HeatForce drying technology helps carpeting eliminate moisture after cleaning. There are also integrated sensors built-in to this vacuum that lets it automatically switch between cleaning and drying, which can be useful.
Though both the cleaning solution and pretreatment solution are included in this package, they are trial sizes and, as such, are on the smaller side. Also, this vacuum must be plugged in to operate, though the included power cable is over 20 feet in length.
#4 Costway Multi-purpose Steam Vacuum Cleaner
Award: BEST SAFETY FEATURES
WHY WE LIKE IT: Perfect choice for those with kids or pets as this vacuum contains multiple safety features to prevent accidental injury, with a design that can reach a steam temperature of 226 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Ships with multiple attachments
- High steam temperature up to 226°F
- 51oz water tank can operate nearly an hour per use
- Does not truly excel with rugs
- Requires regular maintenance
This cleaner by Costway is packed with robust safety features, including a child safety lock and a sensor that will automatically turn the vacuum off if steam pressure gets too high. The design allows for a maximum steam temperature of 226 degrees Fahrenheit, making it great for disinfecting surfaces, and the large 51-ounce water tank allows this vacuum cleaner to operate continuously for nearly an hour on a single tank of water. This model also ships with a number of useful attachments and accessories, including extension tubes and an ironing brush.
Though this cleaner does an adequate job on carpeting, thanks to the included adapter, it doesn’t do as good a job on thick rugs or shag carpeting, due to limitations in the design. Additionally, this steam vacuum cleaner requires regular maintenance, such as purchasing and installing cloth microfiber pads.
#5 Bissell Symphony Steam Vacuum Cleaner
Award: BEST CONTROLS
WHY WE LIKE IT: Features easy-to-use digital touch controls and 5-way adjustable handle, with a quick-release mop pad tray, for easy maintenance, and a tank that remains dry as you clean, via proprietary technology.
- Sanitizes surfaces and kills bacteria
- Quick-release mop pad tray is convenient
- Tank remains dry during cleaning
- Not for cleaning carpets
- Requires purchase of mop pads
The Bissell Symphony is extremely simple to control via an integrated digital interface and a handle that is highly adjustable along five positions. This cleaner can effortlessly switch between steam-cleaning and vacuuming with just the push of a button and the quick-release mop pad tray makes general maintenance a breeze. Proprietary dry tank technology also keeps the debris tank dry as you clean, which additionally speeds up general maintenance.
This Bissell steam cleaner does work with the company’s own mop pads and they wear out fairly quickly, though four of these pads are included with the initial purchase. Also, this steam mop and vacuum hybrid cleaner is excellent at cleaning hard surface types, such as tiling and kitchen floors, but isn’t designed to effectively clean carpeting and rugs.
#6 McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-duty Steam Vacuum Cleaner
Award: BEST VALUE
WHY WE LIKE IT: Value-conscious steam cleaner with a robust feature set that includes a 1,500w heating element that delivers 45 minutes of consistent steam per use and a large 48-ounce water tank.
- Large 48oz water tank
- Delivers 45 minutes of consistent steam per fill
- Ships with 18 useful accessories
- Must be plugged in, though power cord is lengthy
- Not meant for carpets
This McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty steam cleaner comes in at a value-friendly price while offering a superb feature set, including the ability to steam clean a large variety of surface types, including hardwood floors, cement, tiles, and laminate. The large 48-ounce water tank allows for 45 minutes of consistent use before needing a refill and this vacuum ships with a bevy of useful attachments, including a long hose, a steam jet nozzle, a squeegee, and more.
Though this steam cleaner does an excellent job with harder surface types, it is not intended for cleaning carpets, so take that into consideration before making a purchase. Additionally, this vacuum must be plugged in during operation, though it does include a lengthy power cable just like with the best car vacuum cleaners.
#7 Wagner Spraytech Steam Vacuum Cleaner
Award: BEST MULTI-USE
WHY WE LIKE IT: Multi-functional cleaner that also doubles as a chemical-free wallpaper removal tool, with a large 48oz water tank that can operate continuously for 45 minutes on a single refill.
- Large 48oz water tank
- Locking trigger allows for continuous or intermittent steam
- Can easily be pulled around via integrated wheels
- Takes 10 minutes to heat up
- Must be plugged in during use
The Wagner Spraytech is an extremely versatile cleaning tool that excels at removing debris and dirt from a variety of surface types, in addition to doubling as a good option for a chemical-free solution to the problem of wallpaper removal. There are also attachments included for window cleaning, cleaning brass ornaments, and more. We loved the large 48-ounce water tank, which allows the cleaner to operate for over 45 minutes before needing a refill, and the
Though the tank does allow for nearly an hour of use, this cleaner does take around ten minutes to heat through, so be sure to plan accordingly. Also, this is a fairly compact and lightweight design, but it must be plugged in to operate.
#8 O-Cedar Microfiber Steam Vacuum Cleaner
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: Budget-friendly vac with plenty of high-end features, including a light form factor, machine washable microfiber pads, and a design that heats up quickly, being ready to go in just 20 seconds after being plugged in.
- Light 5 lb form factor
- Included disinfectant pads are machine washable
- Heats up quickly in just 20 seconds
- Must be plugged in
- Does not excel with tough jobs
This O-Cedar Microfiber Steam Mop comes in at a budget-conscious price while offering features in line with more expensive competitors, such as an extremely light five-pound form factor. This best steam mop excels at cleaning and disinfecting a wide variety of surface types, including cement, hardwood floors, and carpet. We also loved how quickly it heats up, 20 seconds, and the fact that the included microfiber cleaning pads are machine washable.
Though this is indeed a light steam cleaner, it must be plugged in to operate, so take that into consideration. Additionally, this is a steam mop and not a dedicated steam vacuum cleaner, so it doesn’t do a great job with ultra-tough jobs that include copious amounts of caked-in debris
#9 Sienna Luna Plus Steam Vacuum Cleaner
Award: BEST FOR BACTERIA
WHY WE LIKE IT: Eliminates 99.9 percent of harmful bacteria embedded in flooring, thanks to proprietary sonic micro pulse vibration technology, with a form factor that can collapse for hand-cleaning.
- Heats in just 30 seconds
- Collapses into a handheld form factor
- Ships with attachments for auto cleaning and more
- Not intended for carpet cleaning
- Nylon cleaning brushes wear out after several uses
The Sienna Luna Plus is a great choice for eliminating harmful bacteria, germs, and mold, thanks to the company’s proprietary sonic micro-vibration pulse technology that is certified to kill 99.9 percent of harmful bacteria. This is a steam mop with a light form factor that easily collapsed for one-handed use, in addition to shipping with a large variety of useful attachments and accessories, including an add-on for cleaning the inside of a car.
Though this steam mop excels on a variety of surface types, including hardwood floors and tiling, it isn’t designed to thoroughly clean carpeting. Also, the nylon cleaning brushes that integrate with this cleaner can wear out after intensive use, so you should keep a few replacements on hand.
#10 Tineco Pure ONE S12 Steam Vacuum Cleaner
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Fantastic lightweight and cordless design with a powerful 500w motor, integrated sensors that adjust the power depending on how much dirt is present and featuring a number of useful attachments, such as a power brush.
- Sensors automatically adjust motor power
- Lightweight and cordless design
- Ships with useful attachments
- On the pricier side
- Requires regular maintenance
The Tineco Pure ONE S12 is the best steam cleaner for carpet, among other surface types, thanks to a powerful 500-watt motor and integrated sensors that make adjustments based on how much dirt and debris are present. The lightweight and compact design, with a built-in lithium battery that gets 100 minutes of use per charge, also makes this the best handheld steam cleaner. We also loved the sheer number of attachments and accessories that ship with this model, including a dusting brush, a power brush, a crevice tool, and more.
Though this is an ultra-powerful vacuum on carpet and hardwood floors, the debris canister is on the smaller side and, as such, requires regular maintenance to ensure that dirt and debris have not clogged up the line. Additionally, this is a high-end vac with plenty of features, so it is on the pricier side. To keep your hardwood, tile, and other surfaces spotless and sanitized.
How We Decided
To help narrow down to the above list, we made sure to include a number of different options to suit different surface types and cleaning methods. Professional-grade steam cleaners were included as the obvious choice to remove caked-in stains on carpeting and rugs while steam mops were included for the purposes of cleaning hardwood floors and for disinfecting various areas of the home.
We made sure that each vacuum we chose was made from durable and long-lasting components and came with built-in safety features to help reduce the chances of accidental injuries, such as child-proof locks. We also liked vacuums that were light enough to carry throughout the home and those that featured integrated wheels for a stable and smooth pull as you go about cleaning tasks.
We liked steam vacuum cleaners that shipped with a variety of useful accessories and attachments, such as lengthy hoses, crevice tools, carpet gliders, brushes, upholstery cleaning tools, and many more. Finally, we tended to choose vacuums that heated water quickly and evenly, producing steam in as little as 30 seconds.
Best Steam Vacuum Cleaner Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Cleaner Type
Generally speaking, steam cleaners come in two designs. There are the steam vacuum cleaners, which excel on carpeting and rug and can easily eliminate caked-in stains and debris, and then there are the steam mops. These mops are great at cleaning hard surface types, such as linoleum and tiling, without the need for dangerous chemicals, using just water. They are also good at disinfecting, killing bed bugs, and more. It must be noted, however, that steam mops don’t typically do a good job on carpeting, whereas steam vacuums do. - Safety Features
These steam vacuum cleaners get extremely hot, thanks to the presence of steam, so you are going to want to make sure your chosen vac has plenty of integrated safety features to prevent accidental injury. Look for steam cleaners with child safety locks and those that feature an array of built-in sensors that automatically power down the vacuum when a pre-designated amount of steam is present. - Accessories and Attachments
Steam vacuum cleaners can ship with multiple useful accessories and attachments to make your cleaning life easier. These include lengthy hoses, allowing you to keep the vacuum itself in one spot as you clean. Other useful attachments include crevice tools, accessories to clean upholstery and the inside of an automobile, and extension wands. Some steam vacuum kits ship with as many as 18 or 20 of these accessories, so you are sure to find something you need.
